[Haagen-Dazs]

Hi friends,

As some of you may know, I’m doing a project with my recently purchased M3. I’m also recording everything for my YouTube channel (linked bellow).

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBd...8fg0jc7bGTs_Jg

At the moment I’ve got D2 racing brakes, at the front, but I’m equating installing a new set front and back.

Here in Portugal there are a couple M3’s running 6 pot Stop Tech brakes, and they appear to be quite good.

I’ve thought of Stop Tech, AP Racing and Brembo.

I would appreciate a bit of feedback, possibly with part numbers and personal experience, about BBK for the beloved e46 M3.

Thank you so much for your help!

[Gt4]

Depends what’s you are going to do with that BBK; street or track?

In the past years, I had Stoptech St40, AP Racing 8350, Performance Friction z45/Z29.

For track use, I prefer Performance Friction BBK.

For street use, Stoptech is really good cause rotors and pads aren’t too expensive.

[Haagen-Dazs]

Originally Posted by Gt4

Depends what’s you are going to do with that BBK; street or track?

In the past years, I had Stoptech St40, AP Racing 8350, Performance Friction z45/Z29.

For track use, I prefer Performance Friction BBK.

For street use, Stoptech is really good cause rotors and pads aren’t too expensive.

90% road. I’ll be doing 5-10 track days per year, at most...

AP have good rep and are from England, which is nice since I’m in Portugal. No idea about replacement pads and rotors

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Originally Posted by Haagen-Dazs

90% road. I’ll be doing 5-10 track days per year, at most...

AP have good rep and are from England, which is nice since I’m in Portugal. No idea about replacement pads and rotors

I go about twice a month and still use the oem caliper setup. I just have pfc08 pads and endless 650 fluid with SS lines. I'm still able to manage my brakes without any issues.

[Gt4]

Originally Posted by sc_tr0jan_m3

I go about twice a month and still use the oem caliper setup. I just have pfc08 pads and endless 650 fluid with SS lines. I'm still able to manage my brakes without any issues.

I also track during 3 years on my first E46 M3 with OEM calipers setup, PF01 pads, SS lines, Motul 660 fluids, brass guide pins bushings, front brake ducts, ...

But there are advantages to get a proper track BBK:

-thicker pads and bigger surface
-thicker rotors and 2-pieces design help dissipate heat
-pads wear out evently, not like a wedge like OEM sliding calipers
-big weight reduction, less rotational weight/unsprung weight

[sc_tr0jan_m3]

Originally Posted by Gt4

I also track during 3 years on my first E46 M3 with OEM calipers setup, PF01 pads, SS lines, Motul 660 fluids, brass guide pins bushings, front brake ducts, ...

But there are advantages to get a proper track BBK:

-thicker pads and bigger surface
-thicker rotors and 2-pieces design help dissipate heat
-pads wear out evently, not like a wedge like OEM sliding calipers
-big weight reduction, less rotational weight/unsprung weight

I don't disagree!

I'm likely to bite the bullet and upgrade to an AP setup for next season... but I'm also doing that while acknowledging the huge upfront cost that could be spent on more track days instead of fancy calipers.

For the majority of the HPDE crew an oem setup with good pads, fluids, and lines is more than enough.

[Gt4]

Originally Posted by sc_tr0jan_m3

I don't disagree!

I'm likely to bite the bullet and upgrade to an AP setup for next season... but I'm also doing that while acknowledging the huge upfront cost that could be spent on more track days instead of fancy calipers.

For the majority of the HPDE crew an oem setup with good pads, fluids, and lines is more than enough.

Well BBK pads cost usually less for same compound than oem pads shape so in the end after several sets BBK is paid by itself!